Also known as biosolids, sludge is made of
mainly human waste and can contain other materials and disease-causing
microorganisms, according to the DEP.

Angle can acquire the sludge for free from Synagro, but
residents want to block it due to odor and health concerns.

The appeal claims Angle's three farms have steep slopes and
soil prone to water runoff, which means sludge runoff could end up in streams
and residents' home wells, according to the appeal. The DEP did not consider
the problems before giving permission to spread the sludge, the appeal says.

DEP spokeswoman Colleen Connolly declined to comment on the matter.

Granting Angle permission to use sludge violates the
residents' environmental rights outlined in the Pennsylvania Constitution, the
appeal says.

On Angle's Potomac Farm site, the appeal claims sludge will
impact the habitat of the blue-spotted salamander, an endangered species in Pennsylvania.

Angle's Sunrise Farm includes a spring-fed pond, wetlands and
at least one intermittent stream, the appeal claims, and half of the farm
drains into the Allegheny Creek watershed. Angle's Stone Church Farm site also
has steep slopes and runoff that drains into the creek, the appeal says.

The watershed drains into portions of the Delaware
River, the appeal says.

The appeal also says that DEP did not adequately confirm that
Synagro had raised the pH level of the acidic soil on each site before
determining the sites are suitable for sludge.

Synagro was granted permission from DEP to spread the
sludge Dec. 12, but Angle has postponed spreading until this summer, he said.

Angle suggested the township subsidize conventional
fertilizer for farmers if officials don't want farmers to use sludge for free.
Supervisors tentatively committed to creating a $60,000 fertilizer and lime subsidy, but the controversial plan has yet to be discussed in detail.

Angle said he is giving the residents until Monday to
withdraw the appeal.

He said those filing the appeal -- instead of supporting the subsidy plan -- have missed the chance to
make Upper Mount
Bethel Township
a sludge-free community.

"So when the sludge gets spread, (the residents) can go after
them," he said.